Matanog coastal village rising as tourist destination, gateway of world class wild onions

MATANOG, Maguindanao – Maguindanao has many natural tourist attractions and one of them is unfolding in northern Maguindanao.
The Barangay Kidama, a coastal village here, will soon become major tourist destination once a multi-billion investments take off, according to Matanog Mayor Mohammad Kits Guro. This is a hidden paradise the public will now very soon, Guro said in an interview, referring to the coast of Barangay Kidama and the virgin forest behind it. Massive road construction leading to the Buldon paradise keeps the local government busy as more local tourists are expected to come.

Guro said the area is very ideal for a tourist spot because clean coast, quiet and tranquil place accompanied by spring water that emanates from the virgin forest few steps from shoreline. This is ideal for Bali-inspired hotels and spring resorts, the mayor said, adding that lobsters and high quality marine products are available anytime.

With these come on factors, the Japanese investors and its international partners from gulf countries and Russia have started conducting survey for a breathtaking seaport and floating airstrip for easy movement of world class products that will come from Matanog.Matanog is the emerging producer of wild onions, the basic ingredients of Sakurab Kimchi that Japanese investors are developing for export purposes.Guro said the Japanese investor needs eight tons of onions from Matanog on a weekly basis. Matanog is ready to meet the high demand for sakurab or wild onions, Guro said.He added the coastal village of Kidama could be the gateway of wild onions to the world market.The town executive said the LGU has partnered with several village executives for the production of chili and Persian rice.
Once all these projects are consummated, Guro said it will change the image of Maguindanao and the upcoming Bangsamoro government in the island.
Guro said these projects will bring Matanog up from the bondage of armed conflict that started in the 2000 all out-war against Moro rebels.

He stressed that all these projects are environment friendly.
We are coming up with world class agricultural products and for faster and effective transport out of wild onions, we need wharf and floating airstrip, Guro said in another interview.

All of these are for our people in Matanog, in Maguindanao and the entire Bangsamoro, he added. (Ferdinandh Cabrera)